Senate debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Notices

Presentation

Senator Colbeck to move on the next day of sitting:

That Health Insurance (Dental Services) Amendment and Repeal Determination 2008, made under subsection 3C(1) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, be disallowed. [F2008L00965]

Senator Polley to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Finance and Public Administration Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Friday, 20 June 2008, from 10 am to 12.30 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (2008 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2008.

Senator Hurley to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Economics Committee be authorised to hold an in camera hearing during the sitting of the Senate on Friday, 20 June 2008.

Senator Hurley to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Economics Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Friday, 20 June 2008, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into the Tax Laws Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2008.

Senator McEwen to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee on sexualisation of children in the media be extended to 25 June 2008.

Senators Allison and Kemp to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)   recognises that there is a growing body of scientific research demonstrating that children who receive a comprehensive, sequential music instruction gain many academic and social benefits, including findings that:
(i)   playing music:
(a)   builds or modifies neural pathways related to spatial-temporal reasoning tasks, which are crucial for higher brain functions like complex maths and science,
(b)   improves concentration, memory and self expression,
(c)   increases reasoning capacity, time management and the ability to think in the abstract, and
(d)   improves the ability to think,
(ii)   learning music helps underperforming students improve, and
(iii)   music students learn critical teamwork and social skills;
(b)   appreciates the positive link between the well-being of Australia’s youth and their appreciation and active participation in music activities;
(c)   understands the special benefits that active music making has for at risk, vulnerable and Indigenous children;
(d)   acknowledges the significant contribution and effort that people from all walks of life make to their local communities through music and arts initiatives, particularly those that support Australia’s youth;
(e)   concedes that many Australian children, including the overwhelming majority of children attending state schools nationally, do not have access to a comprehensive, sequential music instruction as part of their education;
(f)   highlights the progress in measuring and enunciating the current scarcity of school music education, through:
(i)   the Trends in School Music Education Provision in Australia report,
(ii)   the National Review of School Music Education, and
(iii)   the National Music Workshop;
(g)   calls on all governments nationally, through the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs and the Cultural Ministers Council to actively support and encourage:
(i)   an increased presence and heightened importance of learning music within the various education curricula throughout Australia, and
(ii)   a closing of the gap between school sectors on access to music education, and
(iii)   the inclusion of meaningful and effective instruction on the delivery of school music within qualifications for school teachers; and
(h)   calls on the Government to.
(i)   assist all school systems nationally in their ability to deliver a comprehensive, sequential music instruction for all Australian children in the years from Kindergarten to Year 10,
(ii)   increase funding for school music education programs, and
(iii)   include the delivery of a comprehensive, sequential music instruction in the development of the national curriculum.

Senators Stott Despoja and Nettle to move on the next day of sitting:

(1)   That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.
(2)   That the Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006 be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration of the bill resume at the stage reached in the 41st Parliament.
(3)   That the bill be restored to the Notice Paper in the names of Senators Stott Despoja and Nettle.

Senator Abetz to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes:
(i)   the devastating impact that marine pests have on our marine environment and valuable fisheries sector,
(ii)   the particular damage that has been caused across Australia by the Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis),
(iii)   the support that the previous Howard Government gave to the pilot study into management of the Northern Pacific Seastar and the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions in Tasmania, and
(iv)   the critical need to act to control the Northern Pacific Seastar before spawning begins in July;
(b)   condemns the Rudd Labor Government for refusing to fund this urgent action; and
(c)   calls on the Government to urgently reconsider its position and fund the control program.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to restrict approvals of new power stations to those operating within environmentally responsible emissions limits, and for related purposes. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Control of Power Station Emissions) Bill 2008.

Senators Ellison, Murray and Sandy Macdonald to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes the statements by the Government that it is gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe and that it strongly condemns the intimidation and terrorising of opposition leaders, civil society and ordinary Zimbabweans;
(b)   further notes the Government’s statement that the Zimbabwean Government’s suspension of humanitarian non-government organisation activity in Zimbabwe is immoral and represents a callous move by the Mugabe regime to use food security as a political weapon against its own people;
(c)   condemns the expulsion by the Zimbabwean Government of independent observers or restrictions on domestic observers for the forthcoming election, and further urges the Government to intensify its efforts, including with other concerned nations and organisations, to ensure that the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe is as fair and democratic as possible; and
(d)   urges the Government to use as many international bodies, including the United Nations, to put pressure on the Zimbabwean Government to return Zimbabwe to a democratic state with the rule of law and a civil society.

Senator Barnett to move 15 sitting days after today:

That item 16525 in Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2007, as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2007 No. 355 and made under the Health Insurance Act 1973, be disallowed. [F2007L04101]

3:34 pm

Photo of Dana WortleyDana Wortley (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

On behalf of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances I give notice that 15 sitting days after today I shall move:

No. 1—That the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Amendment Order 2007 (No. 1), made under subsection 7(1) of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994, be disallowed.

No. 2—That the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Amendment Instrument No. 1 (Trial Protocols) 2008, made under subsection 32(1) of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992, be disallowed.

No. 3—That Instrument No. CASA 222/07, made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, be disallowed.

No. 4—That Instrument No. CASA 364/07, made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, be disallowed.

No. 5—That Instrument No. CASA 445/07, made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, be disallowed.

No. 6—That Instrument No. CASA 450/07, made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, be disallowed.

No. 7—That Listable Chemicals Product (Home Swimming Pool and Spa Products) Standard 2007, made under section 56D of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994, be disallowed.

No. 8—That Listable Chemicals Product (Joint Health Products for Dogs and Horses) Standard 2007, made under section 56D of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994, be disallowed.

No. 9—That the Migration Amendment Regulations 2007 (No. 14), as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2007 No. 356 and made under the Migration Act 1958, be disallowed.

I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard a short summary of the matters raised by the committee.

Leave granted.

The summary read as follows—

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Amendment Order 2007 (No. 1)

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Amendment Instrument No. 1 (Trial Protocols) 2008

Listable Chemicals Product (Home Swimming Pool and Spa Products) Standard 2007

Listable Chemicals Product (Joint Health Products for Dogs and Horses) Standard 2007

The explanatory statements that accompany these instruments make no reference to consultation in accordance with section 4 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. Further, the explanatory statement for the Trial Protocols instrument contains a footnote which explains the accepted meaning of the phrase “application for chemical products”. It would assist in achieving clarity and certainty if the interpretation section of the principal Instrument (section 4) were amended to include this definition.

Instrument CASA No 222/07 made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988

Instrument No. CASA 364/07 made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988

Instrument No. CASA 445/07 made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988

Instrument No. CASA 450/07 made under regulation 208 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988

These instruments allow certain aircraft to operate with a reduced number of cabin attendants. The committee is seeking advice from the minister on the level of consultation undertaken prior to the making of these instruments.

Migration Amendment Regulations 2007 (No. 14), Select Legislative Instrument 2007 No. 356

This instrument makes various amendments to certain visas and visa subclasses in the principal Regulations. The amendments made by Schedule 1 to this instrument commence retrospectively. They reintroduce the power of the Minister to grant refunds of certain visa application charges. The amendments are intended to correct an error introduced by a previous set of amendments, and are of beneficial effect. The explanatory statement provides no advice about the mechanisms by which applicants who became entitled to a refund during the period of retrospective operation will be made aware of their right to request a refund.

Senators Troeth and Humphries to move on 23 June 2008:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to appoint an independent reviewer of terrorism laws, and for related purposes. Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Laws Bill 2008 [No. 2].